Chasing Creativity Rather Than Awards

Kent talks to Coop about his behind-the-scenes work on Grammy-nominated albums, moving from business to music, and exploring the beauty of photography with actor Jason Lee.

Stories From The Show

* Cooper shares his journey of balancing his passion for music with his career in the oil and gas industry, and how the lessons learned in each world have shaped his approach to creativity.

* In a providential encounter, Cooper meets actor Jason Lee at his camera shop in LA, leading to a moment of realization about the kind of multifaceted creative life Coop aspires to live.

* The importance of preparation and having a deep well of creative ideas and sounds to draw from when collaborating with artists

* How skills and lessons from the business world, especially building strong relationships, translate to the creative process in the studio

* Maintaining a focus on the joy of the creative process itself rather than external validation or "chasing the third thing"

* Staying true to yourself and your varied interests and passions rather than feeling the need to fit a certain mold

Questions We Explore

* What lessons from seemingly unrelated fields can shape an approach to the creative process?

* How does embracing a multifaceted identity contribute to a rich and fulfilling creative life?

* How can we maintain a sense of childlike wonder and find joy in the act of creation rather than seeking external validation?

"I left going, yeah, that's kind of the life I want also. Like photographer, musician, baker, (actor), drawing…whatever (creative expression emerges)."

-Steven Cooper, after spending time with actor Jason Lee at his camera shop in LA

Chapters

00:00 Transitioning from Oil and Gas to Music Production

08:26 Finding Time for Creativity

17:59 Navigating Creative Ideas in the Studio

25:45 Innovative Sound Creation

31:32 The Multifaceted Creative Life

39:15 The Importance of Authenticity

46:56 Sharing and Feedback in Creativity